Tanya Plibersek

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister announced a $183 million package to reform the child support system, including new legislation to fix processes weaponised against former partners. She noted that $2 billion in unpaid child support debt existed, with some parents owing over $150,000. Future measures would include automatic travel bans for those with debts over $10,000 who travel overseas and increased use of employer withholding to ensure payments are made automatically.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister cited a 70 per cent increase in sexual violence rates, particularly among young people, and noted that almost 60 per cent of young Australians had experienced sexual strangulation. She argued that online content feeds real-world harm, with misogynistic content appearing within 23 minutes of account creation. The government had already introduced age verification for pornography and restrictions on social media for under-16s. The digital duty of care would obligate platforms to keep users safe, addressing the algorithmic promotion of harmful content.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister stated that the government had agreed to all 56 Royal Commission recommendations, with 52 fully implemented. She noted that the government had settled the Knox Robodebt class action, providing $475 million in compensation for approximately 168,000 people. She explained that new legislation would ensure these compensation payments were not subject to tax or income-testing, allowing victims to receive the full amount.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister stated that safe housing was critical for women and children to escape violence, noting that many endured abuse to avoid homelessness. She highlighted the government's $1.2 billion investment to deliver 55,000 crisis and transitional homes, including the $300 million announced earlier. She contrasted this with the previous government's record of building only 373 social homes in a decade. She also referenced the First Action Plan on violence against women, which included $4.4 billion in funding, permanent leaving violence payments, and support for frontline workers.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the government was investing close to $70 billion in the age pension, with the maximum single rate increasing by $6,500 since taking office. She explained that superannuation reduced the long-term cost of pensions as a share of GDP, keeping it below two per cent compared to the OECD average of nine per cent. She argued that weakening superannuation would increase the burden on working-age taxpayers to fund pensions. She contrasted the government's approach of higher wages and superannuation with the opposition's stance.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister reported that 200,000 people had benefited from paying super on paid parental leave in the first year, adding an estimated $28.5 billion to superannuation balances. She noted that a woman with a median balance would be around $5,400 better off in retirement. She contrasted this with the opposition's proposal to allow early access to super, which she argued would leave workers significantly worse off. She also highlighted the permanent leaving violence payment and paid domestic violence leave.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister stated that paid parental leave had increased to almost $30,000, more than double the 2022 level. She noted that during the initial year when superannuation was contributed on paid parental leave, 200,000 individuals received $285.12 million in contributions. She estimated that a woman with a median superannuation balance would be $5,400 better off in retirement, and a woman with three children could retire with an extra $17,600. She identified the opposition parties as a risk due to their opposition to universal superannuation.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister highlighted insights from frontline organisations, noting that children are experiencing violence and need support. She cited statistics that almost 40 per cent of sexual assault victims are aged 10 to 17 and discussed online harms like stalking apps and AI glasses. She mentioned a $308 million investment for safe homes helping 22,000 people and the broader $4.4 billion investment assisting nearly half a million people through 1,400 organisations.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister reported that paid parental leave had reached six months with a weekly rate exceeding $1,000, including superannuation. She noted that the total value had more than doubled since 2022, reaching almost $30,000. She highlighted increased flexibility and eligibility thresholds. She contrasted this support with past opposition rhetoric that criticized parents for taking leave, stating that the government was proud to provide substantial assistance to families.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister stated that families now receive around $30,000 in paid parental leave, more than double the amount when the government took office, with higher rates and longer durations for subsequent children. She highlighted increases in family tax benefits, higher wages, lower taxes, and free power. She criticized the opposition and One Nation for opposing these measures and advocating for lower wages.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that from 1 July, paid parental leave was extended to six months at a rate of over $1,000 a week, with superannuation contributions. She highlighted increased family tax benefits, three hours of free power, tax cuts, minimum wage increases, and stronger Medicare. She warned that these measures were not safe if the opposition parties formed government, citing past opposition rhetoric against paid parental leave.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that from 1 July, paid parental leave would increase to six months with payments of over $1,000 per week. She noted that the government had more than doubled the entitlement to around $30,000. The Minister highlighted that these changes benefited female-dominated industries like aged care, contributing to the lowest gender pay gap in history. She criticized the opposition and One Nation for their inconsistent or negative stances on paid parental leave.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister announced that from 1 July, paid parental leave would expand to six months at over $1,000 a week, more than doubling the entitlement since the government took office. She noted that approximately 30,000 parents would benefit. She criticised opposition figures for past comments dismissing paid parental leave and for current inconsistencies in their support. She highlighted that tens of thousands of parents in various electorates had benefited from the scheme in the previous year.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that paid parental leave would increase to six months from 1 July, with payments exceeding $1,000 a week. She noted that superannuation would be paid on parental leave. She mentioned that eligibility thresholds would increase. She stated that families would receive almost $30,000 during the six months, more than double the previous amount. She criticized the opposition for historically opposing paid parental leave, citing comments from former politicians and One Nation.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister announced that from 1 July, paid parental leave would extend to six months, with payments reaching almost $30,000. She noted increased flexibility and eligibility, benefiting 180,000 families annually. She criticized the opposition for opposing leave for permanent residents and highlighted cheaper childcare and higher wages as part of the broader support package.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister highlighted consultations on the second action plan under the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children. She noted legislative work to prevent perpetrators from receiving superannuation death benefits and reforms to the child support system. The Minister mentioned a $4.4 billion investment in violence prevention, including funding for the 500 Workers program and 1800RESPECT, and emphasized the need to address evolving threats like tech-facilitated abuse.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the government required human oversight for all AI use and did not hand over decision-making to computer programs. She noted that 93 per cent of the robodebt royal commission's 52 recommendations had been implemented, with work ongoing on the remaining four, three of which required legislation. She criticized the opposition for creating the robodebt scheme, which caused suffering and deaths, and assured the member that the government used strict guardrails and human oversight for automated tools.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister noted the launch of a consultation on the next action plan to address evolving challenges like tech-facilitated abuse. She stated the government had invested an extra $4.4 billion in this area, including $1.2 billion for crisis housing and $218 million for First Nations communities. She highlighted increases in funding for the 500 Workers program and 1800RESPECT, as well as $80 million for children's counselling. She confirmed the introduction of 10 days paid family and domestic violence leave and legislation to prevent social security weaponization.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister declared $11.7 million in additional emergency relief funds, comprising $812 million for 196 providers and $214 million for financial counselling. She outlined further actions such as tax reductions, higher wages, expanded paid parental leave, lower medicine costs, and bulk-billing. She highlighted rises in aged pensions, unemployment benefits, and Commonwealth rent assistance. She condemned the opposition for reducing support for these initiatives while in power.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister stated that over five million social security recipients received a $2.6 billion payment boost on 20 March. She noted that the full aged pension was $5,500 higher than in 2022, and jobseekers received $4,300 more annually. Rent assistance increased by about $1,900 per year, and the small debt waiver threshold rose to $250, affecting 1.2 million debts. She also highlighted cheaper medicines and student debt relief.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister highlighted that paid parental leave is expanding to six months, with payments increased by $200 a week and superannuation included. She noted that recipients are $12,000 better off since 2022. She criticized the opposition for inconsistent and negative rhetoric regarding mothers and paid parental leave, contrasting this with the government's support for working families, cheaper childcare, and workplace flexibility.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister announced an extra $291.7 million to expand frontline worker programs by 70 per cent, funded to 2030. She noted that the government had invested almost half a billion dollars in this program alone and over $4 billion in family, domestic, and sexual violence initiatives since taking office. She highlighted investments in emergency housing, legal services, perpetrator behavior change programs, and the permanent leaving violence payment.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister stated that paid parental leave would expand to six months from July, benefiting 180,000 families annually. She noted that families were $12,000 better off and would gain approximately $412,000 in retirement savings. She criticized the opposition for opposing paid parental leave and for making dismissive comments about children being a burden.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister highlighted up to $5,000 additional funds for pensioners, an extra $1,800 in rent assistance, reduced costs for medicines and childcare, increased pay, reduced tax rates, a 5% deposit scheme, reductions in student debt, and complimentary TAFE. She observed that paid parental leave had nearly doubled, leaving recipients approximately $12,000 better off.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister announced the release of a dedicated national plan endorsed by all states and territories, accompanied by an additional $218 million in funding. She cited statistics showing Aboriginal women are seven times more likely to die in domestic homicide and 27 times more likely to require hospital care because of intimate partner violence. She detailed investments in mobile teams, men's centres, legal services, and housing, noting that this funding complements previous commitments of $262 million and $367 million.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the government did not believe another royal commission was necessary, as frontline workers preferred implementation over further reports. She noted that there were already 1,000 recommendations from eight major inquiries, including the recent rapid review commissioned by National Cabinet. The government was currently implementing 583 initiatives, 122 of which were Commonwealth-led, supported by a $4 billion investment. She announced that consultation would begin on the second action plan of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that from 1 July, families would receive six months of paid parental leave. She noted that recipients were already $12,000 better off since 2022, with 180,000 families benefiting. She highlighted increased payments, superannuation contributions, and flexibility. She contrasted this with the opposition's past criticism of paid parental leave schemes.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister revealed a 40 per cent increase in funding for 1800RESPECT, highlighting that contacts had risen by 3000 per cent since the service began. She outlined spending on emergency housing totalling $1.2 billion, $3.9 billion for legal services, 10 days of paid domestic violence leave, and job protection for victims. She stressed continued cooperation with states and territories to enhance responses to sexual violence.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister reported that paid parental leave recipients were $12,000 better off, with entitlements nearly doubled for 180,000 families annually. She highlighted additional weeks of leave, higher payments, superannuation contributions, and increased flexibility. She criticized the opposition for past derogatory comments about parents and for attempting to hijack debates on related legislation.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister noted that over five million social security recipients received payment boosts from 20 September, including age pensioners and jobseekers. She stated that age pensioners are about $5,000 better off annually and jobseekers $4,000 better off. Commonwealth Rent Assistance increased by almost 50 per cent. She criticized the opposition for past attempts to cut pensions and raise the pension age, warning that their current rhetoric suggests similar cuts.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister detailed upcoming increases to social security payments on 20 September, including a boost of up to $30 a fortnight for age pensioners. She highlighted cumulative benefits since the government took office, such as $5,000 extra for pensioners, $4,000 for JobSeekers, and increased rent assistance. She also listed tax cuts, fee-free TAFE enrolments, student debt relief, cheaper childcare, and investments in housing and Medicare as part of the government's cost-of-living strategy.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The minister announced legislation to expand the special circumstances debt waiver, allowing Services Australia to waive debts run up by perpetrators of violence. She highlighted the permanent leaving violence payment of up to $5,000. The minister noted $1.2 billion in emergency and transitional housing, 10 days paid domestic violence leave, and $800 million in extra funding for family violence legal services. She emphasized that no government had invested more in frontline services and programs to prevent violence.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister highlighted the creation of 1.1 million jobs and a $9,000 increase in minimum wage. She announced that from 20 September, over five million social security recipients would see fortnightly increases, with age pensioners receiving about $30 more per fortnight. She noted JobSeeker recipients were $4,000 better off annually. She also announced the gradual unfreezing of deeming rates, which had been frozen since COVID, to ensure fairness between those with financial assets and those with income.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that since 2022, parents have received approximately $12,000 more in paid parental leave, including extra weeks, higher weekly payments of around $200, and superannuation contributions worth about $4,500 in retirement savings. She noted that 180,000 families benefit annually and contrasted this with the Coalition's past opposition to the scheme.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister explained that the amendment applied only to a small number of reconsiderations meeting specific criteria, such as ongoing activities supervised by state governments. She stated that under existing law, established industries could be shut down overnight if assessments commenced, a problem the previous government failed to fix. She refused to predetermine the outcome of specific decisions, noting that doing so could lead to legal challenges, and cited previous court cases involving prejudgement by the former government.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the department was assessing the project according to national environment laws. She refused to comment on pending decisions, explaining that prejudging outcomes could lead to legal challenges based on apprehended bias. She cited previous court cases involving the former government as evidence of the risks associated with announcing decisions in advance.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that fewer than a dozen coal mining approvals had been granted.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that 10 coal mines or extensions had been approved, with four cancelled. She noted that three gas extraction projects and over 80 renewable energy projects had been approved. She highlighted that 15 gigawatts of renewable energy had been added to the grid and that renewables were on track to reach 82 per cent by 2030.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the Liberals and Nationals had teamed up with the Greens to block the nature-positive laws in the Senate. She argued that the Greens had not supported a strong environmental protection agency with new powers, while the opposition had voted against faster project approvals. She highlighted the government's achievements, including expanding marine protections and saving the Great Barrier Reef from an endangered listing, contrasting these with the opposition's record.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister confirmed that the legislation had passed the House of Representatives but was blocked in the Senate by the Liberals, Nationals, and Greens. She stated that the bill had been withdrawn from the Notice Paper because there was no path through the current parliament. She argued that the laws needed reform to protect nature and provide faster decisions for business.

Answer from Tanya Plibersek

The Minister stated that the legislation had been withdrawn from the Notice Paper because it could not pass the Senate in the current parliament. She expressed disappointment that the parliament could not agree on necessary environmental law reforms based on the Professor Graeme Samuel report.